Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.11.20
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionReturning to Godhead Is Real Victory
“O Indra, King of heaven, the thunderbolt you carry to kill me has been empowered by the prowess of Lord Viṣṇu and the strength of Dadhīci’s austerities. Since you have come here to kill me in accordance with Lord Viṣṇu’s order, there is no doubt that I shall be killed by the release of your thunderbolt. Lord Viṣṇu has sided with you. Therefore your victory, opulence and all good qualities are assured.”
What the purport teaches
- Indra’s thunderbolt was empowered by Lord Viṣṇu’s prowess and Dadhīci’s austerities. Vṛtrāsura therefore assured Indra of victory in battle.
- The Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṇa, teaches that even reaching Brahmaloka does not end repeated birth and death. Heavenly enjoyment would leave Indra within the material world.
- One who returns to Godhead never returns to this material world. Thus real victory belonged to Vṛtrāsura, who would reach the spiritual world.
Try this today
Write down one temporary goal and contrast it with the lasting goal of returning to Godhead.
Ask yourself
Am I measuring success by temporary enjoyment or by progress toward returning to Godhead?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.